Hydropneumatic Energy Storage Module for Scalable Clean Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electrical energy generation systems face environmental issues due to carbon dioxide and reactants, and there is a need for efficient, safe, and flexible energy storage solutions that can be easily scaled and integrated into various power grid systems.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system utilizing heterogeneous pressure media and interactive actuation modules, comprising a first container for initial gas and a second container for initial liquid, where the application of pumped fluid compresses the gas to store and release pressure energy, driving a converter to generate electricity, with automatic control and modular design for scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional combustion or nuclear methods are used to generate electricity, then electrical energy demand is met, but environmental pollution and harmful reactants are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical combustion and nuclear reactions with a mechanical energy storage and conversion system. Energy is stored by compressing gas using pumped liquid, and released by expanding the compressed gas to drive a converter, eliminating harmful emissions while meeting electrical energy demand
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic and hydraulic principles by storing energy in compressed gas and using pumped liquid to transfer and control energy. The compressed gas acts as an energy storage medium, and liquid pressure is used to actuate the system components, providing a clean alternative to combustion and nuclear processes
2Quantity of substance
If energy storage capacity is increased to meet demand, then energy availability improves, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is divided into modular components: compressed gas storage vessels, liquid pumping systems, converters, and control mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to be scaled by adding or removing modules rather than requiring a completely different infrastructure, simplifying deployment while maintaining storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts energy storage capacity by changing parameters such as gas pressure, liquid flow rate, and converter speed rather than requiring proportional increases in physical infrastructure. This allows flexible scaling of energy availability without linearly increasing system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently stores and releases energy using natural substances, reduces environmental impact, is safe for residential use, and can be scaled from small to large power plants, providing flexible electrical energy generation and compatibility with existing power grids.
Implementation Method 1
When additional pressure (e.g., pumped fluid, such as water (e.g., working liquid)) is applied on the initial liquid, which in turn pressurizes the initial gas, the pressurized gas serves as an energy storage media.
Implementation Method 2
In the process of releasing the stored energy, the pressurized initial gas is released, which pushes the initial liquid to expel the working fluid out of the second container.
Implementation Method 3
The working fluid drive a power generator to generate electricity.
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system includes at least one heterogeneous pressure media and interactive actuation module (“module”), a liquid source, a pump, a converter, a first pipeline, and a second pipeline. The module includes a first container storing an initial gas and a second container storing an initial liquid. The liquid source stores a working liquid. The pump regulates the working liquid from the liquid source into the module. The initial liquid is driven by the working liquid to continuously compress the initial gas so that the first container stores a first pressure energy, and the initial gas is continuously expanded to drive the initial liquid to convert the first pressure energy into a second pressure energy. The second pressure energy through the first pipe drives the converter to generate an electrical energy, and the working liquid after driving the converter is returned to the liquid source through the second pipeline.